Comments of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation to the draft Strategic Plan of ICANN of FY16 - FY20

[Lasantha De Alwis <L.DeAlwis@xxxxxxx>]

Dear Colleagues

The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) commends ICANN for 
developing a draft strategic plan which takes into account diverse, and 
sometimes conflicting, priorities while attempting to address the needs of all 
stakeholders including those whose engagement is currently limited.

The CTO wishes to contribute the following to this important effort.


*      The strategic plan appears to be based on the assumption that the 
current unique identifier system of the Internet will remain as it is, possibly 
with incremental changes. However the notion that the identifier and routing 
system may change drastically or a completely new system may come into play, 
cannot be overlooked. ICANN may wish to provide for such an eventuality as well 
as the processes for leading, tracking and actively engaging in the development 
of such new systems.



*      Internet has on enormous effect on people and societies, which has been 
growing exponentially. Though ICANN's mandate is managing the Internet's system 
of unique identifiers, its influence on the Internet makes ICANN also a key 
influencer of the way tomorrow's online, and physical, world will be shaped. In 
that sense the strategic plan may need to take account of the manner in which 
ICANN will contribute to the end-benefits of the Internet and spell out how 
that would be leveraged to promote the aims and objectives of the organisation.



*      The strategic plan has correctly identified the need to earn the trust 
of all stakeholders. This entails several strategies. The stakeholder 
engagement has to be broadened much more than it currently is. Stakeholders 
should feel that their contributions would form a vital part of the decision 
making process. ICANN could create more opportunities for stakeholder 
engagement including providing financial support for those who are 
less-endowed. Strengthening intermediary organisations is an economical, yet 
efficient way to improve inclusiveness. Sensitivity to social, economical, 
cultural and political issues, whose value is context specific, is a critical 
component in building trust. Lastly ICANN may wish to work actively to dispel 
the notion of disproportionate influence exerted by some stakeholders. One of 
the risks identified under 4.2 is the "perception that particular governments 
and IGOs are inappropriately influencing ICANN's mandate". However the 
perception that some governments and IGOs are exercising disproportionate 
influence poses a higher risk.



*      Under 2.3, ICANN seeks to support the evolution of domain name 
marketplace to be robust, stable and trusted. In addition, the domain name 
market place needs to be fair and transparent as well. That requires minimising 
challenges and maximising opportunities for marginalised and less-endowed 
stakeholders to benefit from the domain name marketplace, including a 
proportionate reward on account of ownership, as the concept is understood and 
accepted today.



*      In the outcomes under 4.3, the strategic plan correctly identifies the 
need to establish and strengthen frameworks and partnerships with 
"organizations in the Internet ecosystem", however the term used in measures of 
success is "Internet organizations". It is proposed that the same term, 
"organizations in the Internet ecosystem", be used throughout to maintain 
consistency and to avoid misinterpretations.

Regards



Lasantha De Alwis
Director/Head of Operations Department & Corporate Secretary
 [cid:image001.jpg@01CF5800.F1360F90]


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